THE WAIT IS OVER...

Learn How Your Parish Can Transform its Ministry

Join our intensive nine-month Cohort Program. 

Watch this video to learn how "Effective Christian Ministry" is transforming communities.

Don't delay - apply by July 15 to join our 2022-23 Cohort!

YES! I Want To LEAD EFFECTIVE MINISTRY

Financial Assistance Available

The ECM practices and principles are helping communities transform ministry around the world.

Professionally Evaluated & Highly Rated

"I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the curricular design for the Cohort. The program is thoughtfully laid out and includes many aspects of good learning theory and practice. In particular, this program is built upon a solid foundation of experiential learning and andragogy (adult learning). In my view, these two educational concepts are some of the most vital for designing effective programming that is 1) results oriented and 2) focused on adult learners. 

"In fact, I would consider the ECM Cohort as model of best practices in this regard. There are many corporate and professional development programs do not meet this standard, and I commend the program design team for their thoughtful attention to including these best practice models."

Kevin Rose

Assistant Professor of Organizational Leadership
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
School of Engineering and Technology
Department of Technology Leadership and Communication

amazing feedback and reviews

Here's what people are saying about "Effective Christian Ministry":

"A brave, bold, and honest step in manifesting God's Kingdom in our ministries."
"Unlike anything I have ever read about or seen before."
"Our Priest, Presbytera, Parish Council, and Church School team are all in!"
"Speaking as a priest involved in youth ministry for decades, this course has been a long time coming. I don't think it could fill the need we've had any better."

WHAt you can expect

Here's what you'll receive as a participant in the ECM Cohort:

3 Online Summits and 6 Webinars
Presentations by a diverse group of clergy and lay ministry leaders
2 hours of reflective and applied practice each month
9 months of support from your Coach and Cohort
Ongoing support from the ECM Cohort Program and Director
Support in creating a One Year Ministry Plan for your parish

How is the ECM Cohort organized?

The basic element is the parish Team. 

Each Team will be made up of 3-6 key ministry leaders of a parish. We strongly encourage you to include young adults in your Team. Each Team will have a Point Person who will coordinate things for the Team.

The next element is a Cohort.

Each Cohort will be made up of no more than 5 Teams. A Coach will work with each Cohort as the Teams learn and grow together.

Together, all the participants will make up the ECM Cohort. All participants in the ECM Cohort will gather for monthly Summits and Webinars that will set the tone for that month's learning. 

How much time can participants expect to devote to the ECM Cohort?

Participants will meet 3-4 times a month, with a monthly time commitment of 7-10 hours. 

What does a typical month in the ECM Cohort look like?

A typical month for participants will look like this:

  • Week 1: Summit or Webinar (all ECM Cohort participants)
  • Week 2: Team meeting (without Coach), Reflection Homework due
  • Week 3: Cohort meeting or Coachinar
  • Week 4: Team meeting (with Coach), Applied Project due

What are some key dates and expectations I should keep in mind?

Please mark down the below dates and ensure your availability:

  • Applications Close: July 15
  • Summit 1: September 10, 2022 
  • Summit 2: December 2, 2022 
  • Summit 3: May 20, 2023
  • Webinars: 1st Tuesday of the Month (except September, December, and May)
  • Cohort Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of the Month

Brave and Bold

Effective Christian Ministry is a brave, bold and honest step in manifesting God’s Kingdom in our youth ministries. Thank you for giving us this amazing gift! It's an absolute treasure! 

Scott Davenport

Ministry Volunteer, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Atlanta, GA

Re-Thinking Ministry

Youth Ministry workers in our parish attended a one-day preview of this course in late September and found it to be informative, illuminating, and challenging.  Thank you!

Father Harry Pappas

Presiding Priest, Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Stamford, CT

About Our Team

Director

Steven Christoforou is the Director of Y2AM. He's passionate about sharing the Gospel in a clear and accessible way and helping people see Christ at work in their lives. Steve and his Team create videos, podcasts, curricula, and retreats that have energized the faith of tens of thousands of people around the world. 

"Effective Christian Ministry" shares the vision that has made their work so transformative for so many people. 

Steve is a graduate of Yale University, Fordham University School of Law, and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

Cohort Director

Dr. Athanasia Kostakis is the "Effective Christian Ministry" Cohort Director for Y2AM. She's inspired by Christ’s commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” and motivated by Christ’s admonition that we are responsible for even the smallest gift in the Parable of the Talents.  She is dedicated to supporting life giving relationships and lay ministry in the Orthodox Church.

Athanasia is an established ministry leader with extensive experience in youth and young adult ministry. She holds a Masters of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (2007), a Master of Social Work from Boston University (2013), and Doctor of Ministry from Boston University (2018). 

She is also a Licensed Master Social Worker and has served as a Young Adult Mentor for the Telos Project. 

Financial assistance is available!

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